# accountability

/əˈkaʊnəbɪɫɪti/ (US) · /ɐkˌaʊntəbˈɪlɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accountability
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. responsibility for actions

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the situation where you are responsible for what you do and must explain your results to others.

For teachers: the obligation of an individual or organisation to account for its activities and accept responsibility for them.

- The new law will improve the accountability of big companies to the public.
- Public demand for greater political accountability has led to more transparent reporting on how tax money is spent.

Usage: Often used with the prepositions 'to' (the authority) and 'for' (the action).

### 2. tracking property or funds

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

the duty to keep exact records of money, equipment, or documents.

For teachers: the legal or regulatory obligation to maintain accurate records of property, funds, or sensitive documents.

- The officer is in charge of the accountability of all medical supplies in the hospital.
- Strict financial accountability is required to ensure that international aid reaches the intended recipients without being diverted.

Usage: Common in military, legal, and governmental contexts regarding inventory or budgets.

## Examples

- The manager demands full accountability for the project's failure.
- Public officials must maintain a high level of accountability to ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely.
- The commission was established to improve institutional accountability, ensuring that no single branch of the military could bypass oversight during sensitive operations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.